HARTZ Infusions Conditioning Shampoo (for cats and kittens)?

hunnysuckle

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I bought this product to bathe my kitty with at walmart I've given her a bath with it maybe 4 times now... I got worried though after reading some horror stories on the net about hartz flea products.

This isn't flea stuff and so far I haven't noticed any issues with her since I've used it. Has anyone here used this before? I don't want to hurt my kitty if this is as bad as the flea stuff this company sells.
 

white cat lover

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Hartz generally freaks me out as a whole.... For shampoos I tend to lean towards the "natural" stuff from the pet store, tends to be less harsh on their skin.
 

jen

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For shampoos I use nothing but Dawn Dish Soap. It is gentle, works well and smells nice. I avoid Hartz anything like the plague.
 
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hunnysuckle

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So hartz is definately a horrible company to buy from? Dish soap doesn't hurt them?

I'm new to having cats so I don't know much about this stuff. When i bathe she likes to sit on the tub and watch me but i am afraid she will fall in and the soaps and shampoo's I use could hurt her if she got in the water Should i worry about that or no?
 

proudmomof3cats

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As someone who had a very bad experience with Hartz flea medication, I would never use their products. The flea medication almost killed my cat Root when he was about a year old, it was so bad he had started to foam at the mouth, but luckily he did survive. He is different, he lost some of his personality with the experience, but is still very lovey. I would use Dawn just to be safe.

Manda
 

jen

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Not all Hartz products are necessarily bad, but some are bad enough to make me not want to buy from them period.

Dish soap is excellent. They use it on wildlife like birds covered in oil and stuff. In fact, I believe some of their labels have a duck covered in oil on it and they mention wildlife. Plus it is cheap. It also takes care of fleas. It stuns them so they fall off while you are bathing the cat.
 

mzjazz2u

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Dawn is safe. I wouldn't go so far as to say gentle. But it is safe. I use it without heistation, for degreasing the coat. But then I wash with a regular cat shampoo, conditioner and then a vinegar rinse (a few tablespoons to a couple gallons of water).
 

littleraven7726

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I used to buy cat shampoo, but I use it so seldom it goes to waste. It's easier and less expensive to keep Dawn on hand in case they get into something. I keep Dawn Utra original scent (blue) on hand.
 
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hunnysuckle

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Does Dawn leave there coats soft and shiny? After I bathe her she licks herself alot so that is why I get worried using stuff on her.
 

goldenkitty45

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I don't like any Hartz products. I'd put in in the class with poor cheap quality cat food. It may be ok, but not something I'd use on my cats.


Vinegar rinse is to cut all the shampoo out of the coat. I've used it on Charlie after his bath before he gets out of the tub. Works well for us. We tend to use high quality pet shampoos (bought at shows) or high quality people shampoos (Nexxus, Pantane, etc.). If using Dawn or people shampoos, its best to add a quality conditioner too so the coat doesn't dry out from too much washing.
 

lsanders

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Yeah, Dawn may be effective in cleaning animals rescued from oil spills, but I'd never wash my cat in it (unless they came into contact with oil, of course!
) I do use it on dishes, but I don't use it just to wash my own hands.

At least use baby shampoo or, what I wash my dog with (and he has sensitive skin) is liquid castille soap, like Dr. Bronner's. Trader Joe's sells Dr. Bronner's and also makes their own version. Castille soap is a very old type of soap, very pure and gentle- you can use it for everything- body wash, shampoo, fruit/veggie wash, household cleaning. It has a lot of essential oils in it, so it's very moisturizing.

And I never, ever use any Hartz products.
 

mzjazz2u

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Dawn is perfectly safe for cats. Breeders and show folks use it all the time. But as Goldenkitty said (and as I also previously expressed), it's best to follow up with a conditioner and a vinegar rinse.
Dawn will leave your cats coat soft, light and fluffy. And especially so if you use a conditioner and the vinegar rinse.

I like Earthbath too (as well as many other shampoos). To be honest, I used the Hartz infusion on Peaches for years and didn't have a problem with it. But you have to weigh the options and the risks (if there are any). Personally, I feel that you can't necessarily base total opinion comparing to a flea product. Flea treatments are medicine and a totally different ball game. But you do have to take the companies track record into consideration. I don't use the Hartz product on Peaches any longer only because I started showing my other cat and have moved on to other products. The one word of warning I have for anyone bathing their cats is, don't buy and use anything on your cat with tea tree oil in it. Even though it has been toxic to many cats some companies still use it in their cat shampoo. Believe it or not. And I see it a lot in dog shampoos. So don't forget to read the labels!
 

cc12

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I don't like any Hartz products. I'd put in in the class with poor cheap quality cat food. It may be ok, but not something I'd use on my cats.


Vinegar rinse is to cut all the shampoo out of the coat. I've used it on Charlie after his bath before he gets out of the tub. Works well for us. We tend to use high quality pet shampoos (bought at shows) or high quality people shampoos (Nexxus, Pantane, etc.). If using Dawn or people shampoos, its best to add a quality conditioner too so the coat doesn't dry out from too much washing.
I agree totally and thanks for the vinegar tips.
 

mzjazz2u

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Forgot to add re: vinager rinse: its 1 or 2 tablespoons for about gallon of warm water.
That's right! (and I think I mentioned it in a way earlier reply too!) I'm glad you've found it useful and are still using it! Way cool!
 
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